White Wind by Susan Edwards Read Free Book Online

people?” Red Fox demanded.
    Pulling out the disk he’d found, Golden Eagle held it up for Red Fox to see and watched the moon’s glow reflect off the object. The glimmer of an idea was forming in his mind. “We use this to identify the man.”
    Golden Eagle decided to take his friend into his confidence. None knew of his experience with the spirited white child.
    “Many summers ago, I saved a white girl-child from the bite of death during my wanderings. But she injured her foot when her pony threw her.” Golden Eagle paused, remembering how the girl-child had cuddled against him. “She showed no fear. She looked to me for help. I could not betray that trust. I returned her to her people. Before I left, she asked that I return to these trees in the dark of the night. She promised to leave a gift.” He remembered waiting at a distance, watching and wondering if it was a trick of the whites.
    “That night, the girl-child and her father left a colt beneath these very trees. The whites acted honorably then. I will remain and watch for them,” Golden Eagle said, putting away the object “They will identify the murderers for me.”
    Red Fox nodded thoughtfully. “The daughters of Stands Tall must be avenged or their spirits will not rest. But you are wise. We must wait for the ones guilty of the crime. We cannot kill those who have acted honorably toward our people.” He turned and glanced at their horses.
    “At last I know where you got such a fine beast. Great Star has fathered many strong sons and daughters. We will take one of their horses to present to Stands Tall.”
    Patting the back of his golden stallion, Golden Eagle was pleased that he had reason to remain. He nodded in agreement “We must hurry. You must be far from here when it grows light.”
    They made their way back to the barn and quietly led out two horses, leaving the two exhausted mounts in their stalls.
    A noise drew the attention of Red Fox. Silently, the warrior handed the lead rope to Golden Eagle and circled the barn.
    There Red Fox found a small corral. He stood in the shadows and watched several ponies move restlessly as they caught his scent. “I will return someday to raid the whites of their horses,” he vowed before rejoining his friend.
    Golden Eagle and Red Fox erased all signs of their presence and agreed upon a place to meet when Hanwi had shown her face two times.
    Golden Eagle settled on the hard cold ground after Red Fox faded into the night. The moon sat high above, the new dawn far off. His mind wandered, full of questions. Was she still here? Would she remember him? Did she still have spirit and braveness? Or would she now be afraid of him?
    He compared the white girl to Wild-Flower. She had been full of spirit, the love of life shining in her eyes-of-the-sky. Brave and unafraid.
    Golden Eagle grimaced. Wild-Flower was timid and shy. She never looked him in the eye, had never voiced her thoughts or initiated a conversation. He had to speak first, and maybe she would answer. When she did talk to him, her voice was never more than a weak whisper. He shuddered and let out a long sigh. How he wanted a wife of spirit, one who would enjoy life, one who would enjoy being the wife of a fine warrior.
    A movement jerked him to full alertness. A door was slowly opening.
    He crouched, muscles tensed, as a slight figure silently slipped out into the night and stealthily crept to the crude corral, nervously glancing over a cloak-covered shoulder.
    From his concealed vantage point, Golden Eagle heard a whistle so soft that he wasn’t sure he’d heard it. Immediately a black mare trotted over to be led out. His eyes narrowed. This unknown person intended to slip away unnoticed. The two white men had already left. Was this person also involved with the murders and was now leaving to join them?
    Excited that he might yet be led to the men he sought, Golden Eagle watched the slim figure in breeches, moccasins and a dark cloak lead the horse